Christian Pulisic and AC Milan were kept silent by Roma as the Rossoneri fell to a 1-0 defeat in the first leg of their Europa League clash.
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Milan lose 1-0 at San SiroPulisic goes 78 minutesMancini the hero for RomaGettyWHAT HAPPENED?
It took just one big moment for Roma to seize the advantage in their Europa League quarter-final tie and, more importantly, win the San Siro leg of this two-legged affair. Milan were no doubt favorites in their home leg, but their inability to score saw them outdone by one set-piece from Roma.
Roma's goal came just 17 minutes in from a Paulo Dybala corner. The Argentine's delivery was perfect, with the ball landing right on the head of Gianluca Mancini, who only had to flick it toward goal. Mike Maignan had no chance as Roma got their goal, one which Milan would never be able to answer.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Milan will be left frustrated by their inability to generate much of anything in the attack. Of their 25 shots, just five were on target. It was an uncharacteristically quiet performance from a Milan attack that had been doing well of late. The Rossoneri put three past Lecce over the weekend, having scored 14 goals across their last five matches.
Thursday's match was the first time Milan have been shut out since a November loss to Udinese, snapping a run of 29 consecutive games in all competitions with at least one goal.
GettyUSMNT IMPACT
It was a relatively quiet day for Pulisic, who entered the match in fantastic form for Milan.
Entering Thursday, Pulisic had scored in five of his last six AC Milan appearances, including goals in both legs of the club's Europa League Round of 16 win over Slavia Prague. He had one shot in Thursday's loss, but did have some good moments on the ball as more of a playmaker.
Having returned to his spot on the right wing after starting centrally against Lecce, Pulisic created four chances and completed 42 of his 47 passes. He also earned a yellow card, though, for a foul to stop a counterattack in the first half.
His USMNT teammate Yunus Musah did not feature, meanwhile, as Milan used just three of their five available subs.
Getty ImagesGOAL'S RATINGS
Christian Pulisic (6/10):
Not a bad game by any stretch, but Pulisic just couldn't quite make the magic moment. That can be said about everyone on the field for Milan, to be fair, as the team struggled as a unit in the attacking end.
